Hot Honey Chicken is easy to make, ready in just 30 minutes, and packed with the perfect balance of sweet heat. It’s a dinner that everyone loves and perfect for busy weeknights!
Chicken can get boring, and changing things up every now and then helps prevent meal-time burnout. This hot honey chicken recipe adds just the right amount of spice without being overly hot, while the honey creates a delicious sweet and tangy glaze.
You can throw this meal together in minutes and let the oven do the rest of the work. I love making this recipe with chicken thighs because they stay juicy and flavorful, but the chicken breasts work just as well if that’s what you have on hand.
Add this easy dinner to your weekly meal rotation along with my Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks and Parmesan Chicken Sheet Pan dinner!
Why You’ll Love This Hot Honey Chicken
This chicken recipe is a household favorite for a reason and here’s why:
- Simple ingredients – Made with pantry staples and a bottle of hot honey.
- Quick prep time – Just season, coat, and bake.
- Ready in 30 minutes – Perfect for busy nights.
- Sweet and spicy flavor – A delicious balance of heat and sweetness.
- Versatile meal option – Serve with vegetables, rice, potatoes, or salads.
- Family friendly – Easy to adjust the spice level to your preference.
Honey Honey Chicken Ingredients
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: These stay tender and juicy while baking. You can also use boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenders if preferred.
- Hot Honey: Use your favorite brand or make your own by mixing honey with a little hot sauce or red pepper flakes.
- Olive Oil: Any brand will work.
- Seasonings: Paprika, salt, pepper and garlic powder add flavor and help create a delicious crust on the chicken.
How to Make Hot Honey Chicken in the Oven
1. Preheat the oven to 400℉ and lightly grease a cookie sheet with non stick cooking spray or line with foil or parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, add your chicken, olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix together until chicken is coated.
3. Place the chicken on prepared cookie sheet.
4. In a small bowl, add honey, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix together until combined.
5. Spoon the hot honey mix over top of each piece of chicken.
6. Bake for about 25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165℉.
7. Broil for 2-3 minutes if desired for a slightly caramelized glaze.
8. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Variations
- Add a tablespoon of melted butter to the hot honey for a richer glaze.
- Sprinkle red pepper flakes on top for extra heat.
- Use chicken wings or drumsticks instead of thighs.
- Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice before serving for a tangy twist.
- Mix in a little Dijon mustard with the hot honey for added flavor.
- Top with chopped parsley or green onions for freshness.
Recipe Tips
- Pat the chicken dry before seasoning to help the glaze stick better.
- Use a meat thermometer to avoid over cooking.
- Line your cookie sheet with foil for easier cleanup.
- If using chicken breasts, pound them to an even thickness for more consistent cooking.
What to Serve with Hot Honey Chicken
This chicken pairs well with:
- Roasted broccoli
- Green beans
- Mashed potatoes
- Mac and cheese
- Corn on the cob
- White rice
- Sweet potatoes
- Side salad
How to Store Hot Honey Chicken
- Refrigerator: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Place chicken in freezer bag, squeeze out the air and store in freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge overnight before reheating.
- To Reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350℉ or microwave until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Cook at 380℉ for 16-20 minutes, flipping halfway through until the chicken reaches 165℉ internally.
You can marinade the chicken in a resealable bag 24 hours in advance and store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
Recipe
Hot Honey Chicken
Ingredients
Chicken
- 8 boneless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- ⅓ cup olive oil
Hot Honey Sauce
- ½ cup hot honey
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400℉ and lightly grease a cookie sheet with non stick cooking spray.
- In a bowl, add your chicken, olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix together until chicken is coated.
- Place the chicken on prepared cookie sheet.
- In a small bowl, add honey, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix together until combined.
- Spoon the hot honey mix over top of each piece of chicken.
- Bake for about 25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165℉.
- Broil for 2-3 minutes if desired for a slightly caramelized glaze.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
Leave a Reply